Pierluigi Paganini
April 30, 2025
Proton Mail is a Swiss-based email service offering end-to-end encryption to ensure that only the sender and recipient can read the messages. Founded in 2013 by scientists from CERN, it operates under Proton AG and is headquartered in Geneva. The company employs client-side encryption, meaning emails are encrypted on the user’s device before being sent to Proton’s servers, enhancing user privacy and security. This approach prevents even Proton Mail from accessing the content of users’ emails.
On April 29, the High Court of Karnataka ordered a nationwide block of encrypted email provider Proton Mail.
The court ruling to block the popular service followed a complaint by the local firm M Moser Design Associated India in January 2025, alleging staff received abusive emails and AI-generated deepfake content. The emails contain obscene language and sexually explicit content.
In response to the complaint, Justice M. Nagaprasanna, in a hearing, ordered the Indian government to block Proton Mail under Section 69A of the IT Act.
“In a Tuesday hearing streamed on YouTube, Justice M Nagaprasanna ordered the Indian government to “block Proton Mail, bearing in mind the observations made in the course of the order,” under the Information Technology Act 2008.” states TechCrunch. “In its complaint filed in January, the New Delhi-based firm called for the regulation or blocking of Proton Mail in India, as the email service reportedly refused to share details about the sender of the allegedly offensive emails, despite a police complaint.”
This marks the second legal attempt in two years to block the encrypted email service in India.
At this time, the block on the Proton service has not yet taken effect.
“In February 2024, media reported that Indian authorities may decide to block Proton Mail. Proton Mail is still available in India despite any reports suggesting otherwise.” reads a statement published by the Swiss company. “In response to hoax bomb threats that were sent through Proton Mail, some members of the Indian government suggested taking the extreme measure of blocking Proton. At Proton, we are resolutely against the use of Proton services for purposes that are contrary to Swiss law (Proton is a Swiss company). It would have been regrettable for Proton to have been blocked due to an issue in which we share a common interest with Indian authorities to eradicate illegal usage. “
Swiss authorities are engaging with India to prevent a block of the Swiss-based email service. Thanks to their support, Proton services remain accessible in India. The Swiss email provider thanked Indian officials and civil society for defending secure communication, stressing that blocking the service harms law-abiding users without stopping cybercriminals using other platforms.
“Blocking access to Proton Mail simply prevents law-abiding citizens from communicating securely and does not prevent cybercriminals from sending threats with another email service, especially if the perpetrators are located outside of India.” concludes the statement.
Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon
(SecurityAffairs – hacking, privacy)
